Argentina

Side note: It comes with a metal straw called a bombilla, but never stir your mate with it.

Australia

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"Do not litter, spit, or smoke in prohibited zones."

Katie Birtles says that Australians take public cleanliness very seriously. While some countries may think nothing of dropping a candy wrapper or spewing something awful onto the sidewalk, Aussies take pride in keeping things nice and tidy.

"If you do need to spit, do it discreetly," she says.

China

As April Li explains, the polite thing to do when there are multiple generations entering or leaving the same space is for the eldest members to go first. China believes very strongly in deference to elders, so the gesture is a sign of respect.

France

Shi Tao warns visitors against launching directly into what they want to say without a friendly Bonjour or Excusez-moi.

"This is actually one of the rudest thing you can ever do to a French," he says. "Your interlocutor won't talk with the same enthusiasm as if you had greeted them."

Germany

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"Don't do the Nazi salute."

Judith Meyer elaborates on what's probably the most common behavior that tourists mistake for a prank.

"It's a crime and every year there are tourists arrested for it," Meyer says. Even if you're trying to be funny, no one will see it that way.

Hong Kong

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"Refer to Hong Kong people as Hong Kongers [and not Chinese]."

Despite its proximity to China, people in Hong Kong generally prefer to self-identify as separate from the mainland, Kyle Hayashi explains.

Best to observe a similar distinction and let people correct you that way instead of the other way around.

Indonesia

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"Do not use your left hand."

In Indonesia, "toilet activities" are done with the left hand and public ones like shaking hands with the right, Regina Luce explains.

"Left-handed people are somewhat rare in this part of the world, but if you happen to be one of them and are absolutely uncomfortable using your right hand, giving a little 'excuse me' when you're accidentally/using your left hand should suffice."

Kenya

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"Only refer to someone by their first name if they introduce themselves as such."

Rose Thuo says much of Kenya is very deferential. People like to be called by a title, such as Mr., Ms., or Dr., along with their last name.

"If you want to call someone whose name you don't know, refer to them as madam or sir," Thuo says.

The Netherlands

"No hard feelings but that's how it works here," he says, "and that's a whole lot better than being superficial."

New Zealand

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"Haka is a war-cry performed before a war or, nowadays, a rugby match. Do not make fun of it!"

Mayur Makheri explains how cherished the haka is to New Zealand culture. Participants in a haka chant slap their chests, grunt, and stick out their tongues. It may seem strange to an outsider, but to New Zealanders it's beloved.

Russia

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"Don't give an even number of flowers as a gift."

Katherine Makhalova points out that Russian custom dictates bouquets come with an odd number of flowers if the recipient has a pulse. Only the dead receive flowers in even bunches.